Et Cetera ...

April 27, 2013

Fairmont's airport commission deserves some scrutiny these days. First it was involved in a publicly embarrassing, flip-flop decision about the hiring of a consulting engineer. Then news was revealed that the company operating and maintaining the airport has been far from satisfactory for quite some time, yet the problems are ongoing.

We realize that airport commission members are citizens who do not know all the intricacies involved in operating the facility. But the kind of oversight, decision-making and accountability they would use in their business or personal lives still apply. They need to better represent all of us.

What a great program!

We have said it before and are likely to say it again:?Fairmont Area High School has an awesome speech team. The group recently returned from a trip to the state meet, where it excelled, as usual. It was the fourth consecutive year the team has earned the most medals.

The ability to speak well in public is an important skill in and of itself. It also carries with it an underlying confidence-building component that serves every orator well in other aspects of their lives.

Fairmont students are lucky to have the opportunity to participate in speech. We hope more take advantage.

A tradition all its own

Organizers of Holy Hotdish, a fundraiser for Interlaken Heritage Days in Fairmont, have certainly struck a vein locally. The dinners, which move from church to church and this year feature themes that delve into their histories, have been well-received.

Each year, Holy Hotdish offers locals a reminder of the summer festival to come. But Holy Hotdish has become, in just a few short years, something of a local tradition itself. We congratulate the many organizers and participants.

Kudos to Red Rock

The good local nonprofit organizations have an underlying strength:?They are supported by people who believe in the cause and are willing to put their dollars where their mouths are. So we offer praise to Red Rock Center for the Arts and to the community for the recent renovation of the front steps at the site.

Red Rock completed the project in accordance with historic standards, and paid for it largely with local contributions. Many times, groups are tempted to turn to the city for help with financing. We appreciate what Red Rock did instead.